Local authorities have announced a second round of Covid-19 testing for the whole of the city’s population this weekend, with all residents expected to take a nucleic acid test and get five kits of rapid antigen tests within two days.
At a press conference held by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre this afternoon, Leong Iek Hou, a coordinator of the Centre, told media that some 70 testing stations will begin operation at 7:00 on Friday morning, all the way until midnight.
The testing services will resume at 7:00 the next day and finish at 6:00 in the afternoon.
One-year-old newborns, namely those born on 4 November 2021 or after, are exempt from the citywide testing drive.
The announcement of an additional round of testing comes as all residents must take a rapid antigen test on a daily basis between today (Wednesday) and Friday.
It also follows a fresh policy that makes it compulsory for anyone traveling to the Chinese mainland from Macau by air or by sea to obtain a positive nucleic acid test 24 hours before setting off – effective from midday on 2 November onwards.
Despite the forthcoming two-day mass testing, the official ruled out a high possibility of a community outbreak.
“The whole of Macau is now safe with a low risk,” Leong said. “A second round is to ensure that we’ll be able to restore all economic activity, and all large-scale activities will be allowed to go ahead in an orderly manner.”
Besides, the authorities also announced that MGM Cotai had already reopened its doors, three days after a snap lockdown imposed on the integrated resort left about 1,500 guests and workers locked up for medical observation.
